At KR Scholars, we believe education extends far beyond the classroom.
We're excited to introduce HBCU Bon Voyage™, a new initiative created to support study abroad and educational travel experiences for members of the KR Scholars community. This initiative reflects our commitment to preparing HBCU students not only for college and careers, but also for success in an increasingly global society.
Available exclusively to current and former KR Scholars, HBCU Bon Voyage™ provides support to students pursuing international academic experiences that broaden their perspectives, strengthen their leadership, and prepare them to compete in today's global workforce.
Why Study Abroad Matters
Study abroad is one of the most transformative experiences a college student can have. Students who participate often return with stronger communication skills, increased confidence, greater cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of global issues.
Research has shown that study abroad participants are more likely to graduate in four to six years than their peers and report increased career readiness and personal growth after their international experience. Employers also consistently rank adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving among the most valuable skills in today's workforce—qualities that are strengthened through international learning.
For many HBCU students, however, the opportunity to study abroad remains out of reach due to financial barriers. HBCU Bon Voyage™ was created to help remove those barriers and ensure more scholars can take advantage of these life-changing experiences.
Investing in the Next Generation of Global Leaders
As KR Scholars continues to expand its support from high school through college and into career success, HBCU Bon Voyage™ represents another important step in our mission to create opportunities that promote educational achievement, leadership, and economic mobility.
Our vision is to build a growing community of globally minded HBCU graduates who return from international experiences with new perspectives, stronger leadership skills, and a renewed commitment to making an impact in their communities.
Celebrating Our First Recipient
We are proud to announce Sydney Catron as the inaugural recipient of the HBCU Bon Voyage™ award.
Sydney is a dedicated KR Scholar who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and a passion for learning. Her upcoming study abroad experience represents exactly what HBCU Bon Voyage™ was designed to support—providing scholars with opportunities to expand their education beyond campus and experience the world firsthand.
As our first recipient, Sydney marks the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting tradition of investing in global learning opportunities for KR Scholars.
Congratulations, Sydney! We are excited to support your journey and can't wait to see the incredible impact you'll make both abroad and beyond.
The Journey Is Just Beginning
HBCU Bon Voyage™ is more than a travel initiative—it's an investment in the future of HBCU students. As the program grows, KR Scholars looks forward to helping more scholars gain international experiences that enhance their education, expand their worldview, and prepare them to lead with confidence wherever their careers take them.
Because when our scholars see more of the world, they become even more prepared to change it.